Top-Rated St. Bernard Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing adventure targeting Black Drum, Trout, and FlounderAll fishing equipment provided by Off The Grid ChartersSmall group experience with maximum capacity of two guests
Looking for some serious action in Louisiana's premier fishing waters? Captain Jace knows exactly where the fish are biting in St. Bernard's productive inshore grounds. This isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience – we're talking about an intimate 2-angler max trip where you'll have plenty of room to work and the captain's full attention. The marshes and shallow flats around St. Bernard are legendary among local anglers, and for good reason. These waters consistently produce some of the best mixed-bag fishing in Louisiana, with everything from hard-fighting redfish to table-fare trout cruising the grass beds.
Captain Jace runs a no-nonsense operation focused on putting you on fish. You'll launch early to beat the crowds and target prime feeding windows when the fish are most active. The trip covers St. Bernard's diverse inshore structure – from shallow oyster reefs where sheepshead love to hang out, to grassy flats where redfish and trout patrol for easy meals. Expect to move around and fish multiple spots throughout the day, adapting to conditions and following the bite. The captain provides all your tackle, from light spinning rigs perfect for trout to heavier setups when you need to horse a big drum away from structure. Live bait, artificial lures, and everything else you need comes with the trip. Just remember to grab your Louisiana fishing license before you head out – it's required and easily purchased online or at local tackle shops.
St. Bernard's inshore waters offer incredible variety, and Captain Jace knows how to fish them all. You'll likely start working the grass flats with topwater plugs or soft plastics, targeting speckled trout that love to ambush baitfish in the early morning. As conditions change, expect to switch tactics – maybe drifting live shrimp over oyster bars for sheepshead, or sight-casting to tailing redfish in ultra-shallow water. The beauty of this fishery is the constant action and variety. One cast you might be working a popping cork for trout, the next you're bottom fishing with cut bait for black drum. Captain Jace reads the water conditions, tides, and seasonal patterns to put you on the most productive techniques for the day. The boat is rigged with quality rods and reels suitable for everything from finesse presentations to fighting bigger fish, plus a well-stocked tackle box full of proven local patterns.
Southern Flounder are one of the most sought-after targets in these waters, and St. Bernard delivers some real doormat-sized fish. These ambush predators love to bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim by. Fall months are prime time for big flounder as they fatten up before their offshore migration. They're incredible table fare and put up a surprisingly good fight for a flatfish. You'll typically target them with live mud minnows or soft plastic jigs worked slowly along the bottom.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene here, with fish over 40 pounds regularly caught in St. Bernard's waters. These powerful fish cruise oyster reefs and deeper holes, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. They're notorious for their bulldogging fights – once hooked, they'll use every ounce of their weight to try and break you off on structure. Spring and fall see the biggest concentrations, though good numbers are present year-round. Fresh cut bait or live crabs are your best bet for connecting with these brutes.
Sheepshead might be the trickiest fish to hook, but they're absolutely worth the effort. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth perfect for picking crabs and barnacles off structure. St. Bernard's oyster reefs hold good populations, especially during cooler months. They're notorious bait stealers, requiring sharp hooks, light line, and lightning-fast reflexes. But land one of these 3-5 pound fish and you've got some of the best eating in the Gulf.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Louisiana inshore fishing, and St. Bernard's grass flats are prime habitat. These spotted beauties school up over soft bottoms, feeding aggressively on shrimp and small fish. They hit both live bait and artificials with enthusiasm, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Spring and fall produce the biggest fish, with summer offering the most consistent action. A good trout bite can result in quick limits of keeper-sized fish.
Redfish are every angler's favorite – they fight hard, eat well, and look amazing with their copper sides and distinctive black spot. St. Bernard's shallow marshes provide perfect redfish habitat, with fish ranging from slot-sized eating fish to oversized bulls pushing 40+ inches. They're aggressive feeders that will hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. Sight-fishing for reds in skinny water is as good as it gets, watching these copper-colored torpedoes cruise the shallows looking for their next meal.
This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience some of Louisiana's finest inshore action with a captain who knows these waters inside and out. With only 2 anglers max, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of opportunities to land multiple species in a single outing. The combination of Captain Jace's local knowledge, quality equipment, and St. Bernard's world-class fishery makes this a customer favorite among serious anglers. Whether you're looking to put dinner on the table or just enjoy some of the best fishing Louisiana has to offer, this trip delivers. Don't wait – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hottest.
Capt. Jace's motorboat cuts through St. Bernard's productive inshore waters with the perfect setup for targeting black drum, trout, and flounder. The wireless trolling motor keeps you positioned quietly over fish-holding structure while the GPS and fish finder help locate where they're biting. With an ice box to keep your catch fresh and all tackle provided, this 2-angler rig is built for serious fishing in Louisiana's rich coastal marshes. The shallow-running hull gets you into those back bays where the big fish hide, and the captain knows exactly where to put you on the bite.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our marshes, ranging from schoolie 5-pounders to bulls pushing 40+ pounds. These bottom-feeders love oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring spawning season from March through May is peak time when they school up in shallow water and you can actually hear them drumming. The meat on smaller drum under 15 pounds is fantastic - firm and mild. Bigger fish make great photos but the meat gets tough. These fish fight hard with strong runs and headshakes. Fresh peeler crab is hands-down the best bait, but blue crab and shrimp work too. My tip: use just enough weight to hold bottom and watch for that subtle pickup - drum are surprisingly gentle biters for such big fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Louisiana inshore fishing, with their copper backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. These bruisers range from schoolie 18-inchers to bull reds over 40 pounds that'll test your tackle. They cruise skinny water flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges hunting crabs, shrimp, and mullet. Fall is prime time when big schools push through our marshes, but they bite year-round. What makes reds special is their aggressive nature and bulldogging fights - they'll make long runs and use their broad sides against the current. The meat on slot-sized fish (16-27 inches) is firm and mild. Topwater action in shallow water is hard to beat, but live shrimp under a cork is foolproof. Pro tip: look for nervous baitfish and tailing fish in ankle-deep water on calm mornings.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread-and-butter inshore species, running 14-24 inches with some gator trout hitting 5+ pounds. These spotted beauties cruise grass flats, marsh edges, and oyster bars feeding on shrimp and baitfish. Fall and spring provide the most consistent action, but summer nights under lights can be outstanding. Trout are aggressive strikers that'll hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp with equal enthusiasm. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating in the marsh - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Cool fronts in fall stack them up in deeper holes and channels. My go-to setup is a 1/4 oz jighead with a white paddle tail worked slowly over grass beds. When they're finicky, switch to popping cork with live shrimp - that's money every time.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they're some of the smartest fish we target. These 2-8 pound structure huggers live around docks, pilings, and jetties where they pick barnacles and crabs off with human-like teeth. Spring spawning runs from February through April bring the best action, but they bite year-round. What makes them special is the challenge - they're notorious bait stealers with light bites that'll clean your hook without you knowing. The payoff is sweet, flaky white meat that rivals snapper. Fresh fiddler crabs and shrimp work best on small hooks. The secret is getting tight to structure and setting the hook hard at the first tap. Don't wait for a second bite - sheepshead will steal your bait and disappear before you know what happened.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on muddy and sandy bottoms where they ambush shrimp, crabs, and small fish. These unique flatfish have both eyes on their left side and can change color to match the bottom. Most run 15-18 inches and 2-5 pounds, but we catch some nice ones pushing 8+ pounds. They're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through our marshes and channels heading to spawn offshore. Best technique is drifting live shrimp or bull minnows on a Carolina rig near structure. Here's the key - when you feel that telltale tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook. Flounder are notorious bait thieves who like to grab and run sideways before swallowing, so patience pays off.
Saint Bernard, LA